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The farmer plows his field.  He sets his implements together.  He checks all the connections.  He drives over to the field.  Getting the plow into the field, he lowers the blades.  After putting the tractor in gear, he looks forward and picks a place to use as his guide for a straight line.  Letting out the clutch, he starts another year.

At the end of the row, he lifts the plow and turns around.  He sets his sights on the barn.  And, with plow up, he puts the tractor in “fast” and heads home.  In his mind, he’s done his work.  What?  He’s got 300 acres!  Anyone would think the farmer has flipped his gourd if he really thinks he’s done enough.

Many people have set themselves apart.  They have understood the message of the Gospel and taken it to heart.  Sadly, many who have a confidence in themselves have not understood the message however.  They think, like the farmer, that simply doing the minimum will satisfy the Lord of Righteousness.  But the Christian life is not a one word experience.  It is a life of dedication to growth.  Those who think they can simply attend church or speak nice words are sadly mistaken.  What of sin in your life?  Another row to plow.  What of the movies you watch?  Another row to plow.  What of your prayer life?   Another row to plow.  What of forgiving others?  Another row to plow.  What of reading the Bible on a regular basis?  Another row to plow.  What of learning from God to do everything He tells us to do?  Another row to plow.

⁵⁷As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

⁵⁸Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

⁵⁹He said to another man, “Follow me.”

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

⁶⁰Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

⁶¹Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”

⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”  (Luke 9)